Recently, the so-called “social justice” slideshows and images have dominated our instagram feeds and stories. It seems as if adding a filter to profile pictures or sharing a ten slide powerpoint on a story is our generation’s response to every social injustice or political issue happening in the world. Online petitions, filters on social media, and infographics are our new form of social activism.
However, critics have marked such forms of social activism as slacktivism – a term coined by Dwight Ozard in 1995. It refers to an effortless and costless display of support for a social cause, without the intent to actually contribute to the cause. The increase in online presence, and with it the rise in online activism, is strongly correlated with a display of support for social issues without the corresponding effort to enact meaningful change.
Slacktivism, a term that combines the words “slacker” and “activism”, refers to low-cost, low-effort, online activism. Psychologists claim that slacktivism is a form of online activity whose purpose is partially to raise awareness, but predominantly to grant satisfaction for the engaged individual. The term is often used interchangeably with “clicktivism”, showing how the simple action of “clicking” to reshare a post on social media or follow an activist page results in a feeling of actually helping the cause and satisfaction for the engaged individual. Some of the most common forms include: reposting links to online petitions or infographics, joining facebook groups, or changing one’s profile picture and status.
Researcher Dr. Halpuka established a systemic heuristic that allows us to characterize clicktivism using the following features:
Firstly, for an action to be classified as clicktivism it must be an impulsive gesture; it is an impromptu response rather than something the individual planned. Secondly, the action has to have weak accountability and little commitment, meaning that there is no mandatory follow-up action. It must be easily replicated, so that it can be accessed by the general public. Lastly, clicktivism should not draw upon any specialized knowledge, so that any individual with a minimal skill set can engage in this action.
Halpuka analyzed various forms of online activism through this heuristic model. For example, social buttons such as “like” or “share” found on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram allow the user to engage with the content in an impromptu, non-committed way. Individuals have little accountability for liking or sharing a post, and they can engage in this action regardless of how much knowledge they possess on the content of the original post. The structure of social media platforms and their features are an enabling mechanism for individuals to engage in slacktivism. However, it is important to highlight that the original creation of a status update or slideshow is not a form of clicktivism itself. According to Halpuka’s model, the reaction to original content, namely reposting and liking, instead is a prime example of clicktivism.
“If you make a Facebook page we will ‘like’ it—it’s the least we can do. But it’s also the most we can do.”Seth Meyers
One of the main reasons individuals engage in slacktivism is predominately thanks to the format of social media platforms. Online interactions, such as the social buttons, check all of the characteristics in Halpuka’s model, encouraging users to repost and react to content in an effortless way. However, these characteristics are not the sole cause of why this type of online activism has become so widespread. Studies have shown that a core reason for this activity is people’s desire to present a positive image of themselves. Social media has become a tool where we can create a unique persona we present to others, and engaging in online activism can show our concern and interest in various political, social and humanitarian issues.
A study done by researcher Kristofferson provides empirical evidence that when activism is socially observable individuals are more likely to partake in it. In his study he looked at how likely individuals were to donate to a social cause when the token of support was publicly or privately observable or completely absent. He found that when the support is publically visible individuals are more likely to donate to the cause, to agree to the volunteering request, and to contribute more time overall to prosocial action. These findings were true for experiments conducted in person and online, on platforms such as Facebook. It confirms that one of the motives for individuals to contribute to a cause is to display a positive self-image.
Moreover, another finding stemming from Kristofferson’s study is that people participate in activism on social media to gain gratification of social participation. When we are consistent with our own values or values of our in-group we gain utility and social gratification. Sharing a post on our story or changing our profile pictures can create a feeling of belonging, especially if it is a social norm, a standard, of our in-group.
Although it seems as if online activism has become more prevalent it has not transformed into further support for social causes. This can be traced to the fact that social media has taken away the accountability and effort needed to initially support the cause. Studies have shown that when more effort is required to participate in the first place, the individual is more likely to exert even more effort in future. Since sharing a link or changing your status is so effortless, individuals do not feel compelled to take a real, tangible step towards social change. Secondly, online activism often lacks emotional investment, so it does not secure committed behaviors. Individuals have a harder time empathizing with individuals we do not have direct contact with. Lastly, there is the trade-off hypothesis: when people show support online for cause, it inhibits effective offline activism. By engaging in online activism, individuals feel gratification and satisfaction of actually helping the cause already and hence are less compelled to further participate in prosocial action.
With the rise in popularity of social media platforms, slacktivism has been the dominant form of online activism among its users. Critics have argued that due to the nature of online activism –its lack of accountability, low effort, and lack of emotional investment– it does not translate efficiently into meaningful social change.
Comedian Seth Meyers once said, “If you make a Facebook page we will ‘like’ it—it’s the least we can do. But it’s also the most we can do.” I wonder if the rise in slacktivism will confirm his prediction.
References
Chou, E. Y., Hsu, D. Y., & Hernon, E. (2020). From slacktivism to activism: Improving the commitment power of e-pledges for prosocial causes.
PLOS ONE, 15(4). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0231314
Dookhoo, S. (2015).
How millennials engage in social media activism: A uses and gratifications approach. University of Central Florida. http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0005941
Gervais, D. (2021, September 20).
The effectiveness of social media activism. The Medium. Retrieved April 24, 2022, from https://themedium.ca/the-effectiveness-of-social-media-activism/
Greijdanus, H., de Matos Fernandes, C. A., Turner-Zwinkels, F., Honari, A., Roos, C. A., Rosenbusch, H., & Postmes, T. (2020). The psychology of online activism and social movements: relations between online and offline collective action.
Current Opinion in Psychology, 35, 49–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2020.03.003
Halupka, M. (2014). Clicktivism: A Systematic Heuristic.
Policy & Internet, 6(2), 115–132. https://doi.org/10.1002/1944-2866.poi355
Kristofferson, K., White, K., & Peloza, J. (2013). The Nature of Slacktivism: How the Social Observability of an Initial Act of Token Support Affects Subsequent Prosocial Action.
Journal of Consumer Research, 40(6), 1149–1166. https://doi.org/10.1086/674137
St. Louis Public Radio. (2014, January 3).
Activism or slacktivism? How social media hurts and helps student activism. STLPR. Retrieved April 24, 2022, from https://news.stlpublicradio.org/2014-01-02/activism-or-slacktivism-how-social-media-hurts-and-helps-student-activism


Initial stages of a trial aimed at controlling algal growth in the Lower Vasse River has demonstrated improved visual amenity and reduced phosphorus build-up associated with algal blooms.
High nutrient concentrations and low flows in the river over summer can lead to blue-green algal blooms and nuisance odours.
Fifteen tanks were immersed in the river near the Lower Vasse traffic bridge by Department of Water and Environmental Regulation scientists in November 2016. An innovative new clay product was applied to the tanks at different doses. The clay strips phosphorous from the water and prevents phosphorous release from the sediments.
“We have been really pleased with the visual improvement in water quality in the tanks with the clay compared to those with no clay,” said Dr Svenja Tulipani, lead scientist on the trial.
“We are now looking closely at the water quality data collected over the trial to assess if we extend the trial over larger areas of the river next summer.”
The trial is part of a series of experiments to explore unique ways to improve soil condition and reduce nutrients entering waterways from urban and rural land uses.
At a recent forum held in Busselton, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation shared this information with interested community members.
Organised by local catchment group GeoCatch, the forum aimed to build a better understanding of current waterway and estuary health, sharing this information with communities to guide future management and planning.
This project is part of Revitalising Geographe Waterways and the Regional Estuaries Initiative.


Article Sports sponsorship and Gulf geopolitics € 7,90incl. VAT
This article is featured in the ORIENT III 2022
Elite sport sponsorship has become a significant trend in the Arabian Peninsula, where local leaders see investment in high-profile teams and events as a way to shape foreign relations beyond the region – primarily with Europe. Sports sponsorship also factors into intra-regional geopolitics among the Gulf countries, including both cooperation and competition. This article considers both sides of sports sponsorship geopolitics – beyond and within the Gulf – while also recognising that the two orientations are not separate.
Natalie Koch is Professor of Geography at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. She is a political geographer working on authoritarianism, geopolitics and the territorial state system. Her empirical research in the Arabian Peninsula focuses on alternative sites of geopolitical analysis, including sports, science, environmental policy and urban development. She is the editor of the new book Spatializing Authoritarianism (Syracuse University Press, 2022) as well as Critical geographies of sport: Space, power, and sport in global perspective (Routledge, 2017). In August 2022, she will begin as the new Professor of Human Geography at Heidelberg University. 4 Issues / Year (Digital) Back Issues until 2008 (Digital) 4 Issues / Year (Print) Student Discount
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Abstract
The functional consequences of differential muscle activation and contractile behavior between mechanically coupled synergists are still poorly understood. Even though synergistic muscles exert similar mechanical effects at the joint they span, differences in the anatomy, morphology and neural drive may lead to non-uniform contractile conditions. This study aimed to investigate the patterns of activation and contractile behavior of triceps surae muscles, to understand how these contribute to the relative displacement between the one-joint soleus (SO) and two-joint lateral gastrocnemius (LG) muscle bellies and their distal tendons during locomotion in the rat. In seven rats, muscle belly lengths and muscle activation during level and upslope trotting were measured by sonomicrometry crystals and electromyographic electrodes chronically implanted in the SO and LG. Length changes of muscle-tendon units (MTUs) and tendon fascicles were estimated based on joint kinematics and muscle belly lengths. Distances between implanted crystals were further used to assess longitudinal and transversal deformations of the intermuscular volume between the SO and LG. For both slope conditions, we observed differential timing of muscle activation as well as substantial differences in contraction speeds between muscle bellies (maximal relative speed 55.9 mm s
-1). Muscle lengths and velocities did not differ significantly between level and upslope locomotion, only EMG amplitude of the LG was affected by slope. Relative displacements between SO and LG MTUs were found in both longitudinal and transversal directions, yielding an estimated maximal length change difference of 2.0 mm between their distal tendons. Such relative displacements may have implications for the force exchanged via intermuscular and intertendinous pathways. Keywords Achilles tendon Biomechanics Myofascial force transmission Synergistic muscles Treadmill trotting


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No matter how well you try to maintain your GMC wiper blades, over time, their effictiveness reduces and they graduallybegin to fail. This is the normal life cycle of most windshield wiper bladesas many different factors can affect a wiper blade’s performance. A perfect example is UV rays from the sun. When the sun pounds down on your wiper blades, the rubber material can break down ,leading to unsightly streaks on your windshield. Regular replacement of your GMC windshield wiper blades can prevent these issues long before they are problem you can see on your windshield.
When Should I Change my GMC Windshield Wipers?
Your GMC windshield wipers are not designed to last forever. Sooner or later, they fail and become unable to perform their function. You don't have to pop the hood to check if your GMC windshield wipers are intact. There are some clear cut signs your wiper blades are failing. Here are some signs to look for in a failing pair of windshield wipers. 1.Squeaking sounds 2.Streak marks. 3.Loose blades. 4.Chattering. SilBlade
®recommends replacing your GMC windshield wipers every 7000-mile or at six months intervals.


The Petrogenesis of Pseudocarbonatites in Bancroft Region, Southwestern Grenville Province Date2022-02-15 Author MetadataShow full item record Statistics
Abstract
Carbonatites are rare igneous rocks that form from fractionation of carbonate-rich, silica undersaturated magma. The petrogenesis of pseudocarbonatites (rocks that are similar to carbonatites, but without a clear mantle link) is less clear. Pseudocarbonatites may be derived from fractionation of mantle-derived magmas (like carbonatites) or generated from partial melting of carbonate rocks of a sedimentary origin (e.g., limestone). This thesis investigates a suite of Proterozoic pseudocarbonatites from Bancroft (Ontario) in the southwestern Grenville Province. I test the hypothesis that pseudocarbonatites were derived from partial melting of metasedimentary rocks in the region using petrology, whole-rock trace element geochemistry, and stable isotope analysis. Concentrations of Rare Earth Elements and other trace elements in the pseudocarbonatites are inconsistent with values from carbonatites or nearby nepheline syenites, but closely resemble those of marbles in the region. Carbon and oxygen isotope ratios of pseudocarbonatites are also inconsistent with North American carbonatites or a mantle origin and strontium isotope ratios are higher than average Ontario carbonatites. However, strontium isotopic ratios are broadly compatible with the values of marbles in the region. Therefore, the pseudocarbonatites were most likely generated during partial melting of marbles during fluid-influx associated with Grenville orogenesis. This suggests that carbon can be remobilized as carbonate melt during high-temperature metamorphism, which has implications for understanding the movement of carbon through the Earth’s crust and the carbon cycle of the geosphere.
Cite this version of the work
Alisia Mar (2022). The Petrogenesis of Pseudocarbonatites in Bancroft Region, Southwestern Grenville Province. UWSpace. http://hdl.handle.net/10012/18070
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Maira Andrade
I’m a Level 6 undergraduate psychology student at the University of East London. I was the recipient of a UEL Internship award that allowed me to work alongside gambling addiction experts to conduct the current research. Our study focused on exploring the consumer protection and safer gambling practices of forty frequently visited cryptocurrency-based online operators.
I hope to continue investigating cryptocurrency-based online gambling and its potential risks to individuals. My interests also include the cognitive underpinnings of addiction with a focus on impulsive behaviour and decision-making. Safer gambling and consumer protection failings amongst 40 frequently visited cryptocurrency-based online gambling operators Delegate Poster Prize-winner (student-led), 2022: Best overall student-led poster
This is the first study to investigate consumer protection features at the intersection of two internet trends. Cryptocurrency-based online gambling operators have emerged very recently, and yet, have also become very prominent. The main contribution of this study is the demonstration of widespread failings in safer gambling and consumer protection features amongst forty frequently visited cryptocurrency-based gambling operators. A total of ten safer gambling practices and consumer protection features were investigated using content analysis. Significant consumer protection failings related to identity verification were identified. These findings are especially meaningful when it comes to the protection of young and at-risk individuals, as it could facilitate minors engaging with online gambling and also allow individuals who self-excluded or are undergoing treatment to access gambling products online. Moreover, safer gambling tools has been found to be offered to consumers at considerably lower levels than what has been found in previous studies of traditional online operators in the United Kingdom, limiting individual’s opportunities to engage with gambling management tools. Findings also suggest that crypto gambling black markets could become a greater challenge than conventional black markets if regulators cannot restrict access or block gambler’s payments through centralised payments. In addition to the risks inherent to cryptocurrencies, the findings of this study indicate that cryptocurrency-based gambling is a fundamentally riskier proposition for consumers, in comparison to traditional online gambling, and this topic should certainly be of interest to academics who want to further explore the potential risks associated with this new online gambling trend.


Human behavior can vary widely, even in social settings where there are some pretty straightforward “rules.” When designers research people for design, they discover people’s habits. They can also identify people’s physical limitations brought about by injury or age. Even something as mundane as “doing a puzzle” can have many behavioral layers.
People-specific characteristic aspects.
A person's internal and physical identity.
How long a person has lived.
A person's assigned sex at birth.
A person's race based on physical appearance.
A person's sense of their own gender.
A person's physical size.
A person's physical and mental condition.
Ways people relate to others and how they perceive themselves in those relationships.
Emotional and/or romantic attraction to another person.
Ways people are connected to others.
A classification based on a person's social and economic status.
Facts, information, and skills a person has acquired.
A person's distinctive character.
References and sources that support the inclusion of this Aspects of Experiences for Design component.


truck car insurance In The State of Montana
truck car insurance is unlike any additional type of insurance. It is mandatory. Individuals must prove they have truck car insurance or else aim fines or loss of license. In the world of truck car insurance, there are a staggering amount of online ads, apps, and television commercials explaining that they have the best rates. However, how accomplish you pick which one is the best? It is a tedious and laborious endeavor. Therefore, to make it easier, AxRate has provides a list of the average amount of car insurance per state. There is an valuable factor to remember. Car insurance is based upon a variety of factors. For example, driving history, age, credit score, years of driving, location, gender, insurance history, annual mileage, marital status, history of claims reported, level of coverage, the vehicle, vehicle ownership status, discounts available, and the insurance company.
For example, look at Alabama, where the average pension is roughly $50,000, and their population is predominantly white, with an average of 51% female. You will locate their monthly truck car insurance price at around $51. In Arkansas, the average income drops to $46,000, with a primarily white population and a female percentage of 51%. However, even with lower income, the truck car insurance rate remains at $51 per month. These are less populated states with humiliate incomes, so the amount listed is reasonably priced for their monthly payment. If you stimulate in Alaska, your insurance is even lower; $36 a month. Keep in mind that this represents the populous and what Alaskans are satisfying to pay. It’s a large disclose but taking into consideration a little population. As we change toward the west of the U.S., Arizona’s car insurance jumps to $67 a month, and California’s basic car insurance is $86. California is the most populous give access globally, with more cars driven than anywhere else, especially in Los Angeles. Therefore, $86 per month fits the state’s economy and population. Colorado’s car insurance is less, starting at $60 per month. But similar to you see at the significant layer in the eastern share of the U.S., you’ll look that Connecticut’s car insurance begins at $91. This is due to the state’s high-income ratio and overall rich population. Delaware is furthermore quite expensive. Their car insurance starts at $85 a month, which is quite a bit for such a small state. But as it is in Connecticut, Delaware is a relatively high-income state, so it is appropriate. Moving to Washington D.C., the rate is yet relatively high, beginning at $75. More than likely, this is due to D.C. being house to the president and politicians from all walk of life. If we go whatever the showing off down south, Florida’s car insurance is a staggering $130 per month. This may be due to its’ large retired and wealthy community.
Moving to the middle of the country, we see Georgia’s truck car insurance at $72 per month. However, Hawaii is only $55 per month; considering it is a group of islands, this amount doesn’t seem too high, for there is a nonattendance of public transit in the relatively small state. Even lower monthly payment is in Idaho, at only $41 a month. Illinois jumps in the works to $58 a month, even subsequently an excellent public transit program. Looking at Indiana, the car insurance rates Fall to $38 a month. The lowest is Iowa, with as Tiny as $32 a month. However, as we imitate toward more populous southern states, we look that Kansas car insurance goes going on to twenty dollars, to $52 a month. Kentucky is a staggering $105, even exceeding California and Connecticut. Louisiana has an even vanguard monthly car insurance rate of $115. If we go back up to the far east corner of the U.S., we’ll see that Maine’s car insurance is $42 a month. In the eastern part, Maryland offers car insurance at $82 a month, while Massachusetts offers it at $73. However, if we fake to Michigan, the car insurance is a whopping $225 a month.
The average pension in Michigan is $57,000, with a predominantly white population of 79%. If we move put taking place to to the eastern part of the country, Maryland’s truck car insurance is roughly $82 per month. This is a relatively large amount taking into account there are only about 16,000 people in the complete state. However, the percentage of females is 52%, but their average pension is over $100,000, with the black population higher than white. In that sense, the $82 seems relatively low for such a high-income state. Remaining on the eastern border, Massachusetts’ truck car insurance begins at $73 per month. This relatively small state’s median allowance is $81,000, with beyond an 80% white population. These factors show into the cost of insurance. If we look at Minnesota, their truck car insurance is higher, starting at $83 a month. The average allowance in this disclose is over $71,000, and again it is predominantly white. If we see at Mississippi, though it is primarily white, the African American ratio is higher, at 37%.
However, the pension drops significantly to $45,000, yet the truck car insurance is still $52. Montana and Nebraska, both large states, offer car insurance for $49 and $41 a month. However, Nevada’s car insurance rate is $101. This may be due to Las Vegas and the child maintenance the confess brings in regularly. New Hampshire charges $42 for its car insurance, and if we see at New Mexico and North Carolina, they both charge $57. Oklahoma is a dollar more, at $58, whereas New York offers coverage at $94. North Dakota’struck car insurance is $37 a month, Ohio offers insurance for $43, and Pennsylvania starts at $49. However, moving assist to the most eastern allowance of the U.S., New Jersey charges $109, and Rhode Island costs $114 a month. Back to the west coast, we have Oregon at $76 a month car insurance; Wyoming offers only $32 a month, which makes sense, considering it is the least populous permit in the union. The stop of the country’s truck car insurance ranges from $80 in Utah to $28 in South Dakota. Every confess has its required truck car insurance, and most correlate subsequent to the size, income, and race of that particular state. Therefore, it is essential when researchingtruck car insurance to consider the factors before choosing an insurance company to find the best rates available.


Lewis Zhichang Shi, PhD, CLIP Investigator University of Alabama at Birmingham Over the past decade, immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs) such as anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 have rapidly emerged as a major pillar of cancer care. However, despite their unprecedented clinical successes, overall efficacy of ICBs is limited, due to the rather common therapeutic resistance in most patients. As original efforts to understand why, Dr. Shi and others revealed that loss of IFN-ɣ signaling genes in tumor cells is a major mechanism of resistance to ICBs, but the underlying mechanism has since then remained unknown. Consequently, it has been largely unexplored how to overcome this resistance. Intriguingly, Dr. Shi’s preliminary studies using tumor models lacking functional IFN-ɣ signaling identified constitutively active Janus Kinase 1/2 (JAK1/2), as a result of aberrant metabolic reprogramming. Together, they forge an “immune-cold” tumor microenvironment and drive ICB resistance. In Aim 1, Dr. Shi will decipher the metabolic mechanism(s) underlying ICB resistance. In Aim 2, he will determine the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which loss of IFN-ɣ signaling in tumor cells promotes ICB resistance and will utilize clinically-approved and -tested inhibitors to overcome this ICB resistance. While metabolic reprogramming in tumor cells has been associated with therapeutic resistance to chemotherapy and adoptive immunotherapy, to the best of our knowledge, it remains to be established whether metabolic reprograming is the driving force or a mere consequence of ICB resistance. Insights gained from Dr. Shi’s studies will shed light on this for the first time and advance mechanistic understanding of how tumor-intrinsic changes affect anti-tumor function of T cells. These studies may manifest “targeted” therapies to overcome ICB resistance and guide future design of clinical trials, which will greatly expand the patient population that can benefit from these novel ICBs, a pressing medical need. Projects and Grants Discovering and targeting tumor-intrinsic metabolic checkpoints to overcome immunotherapy resistance University of Alabama at Birmingham | All Cancers | 2022


MULTIPLE MYELOMA is a highly complex haematological cancer that can be caused by a variation of genetic mutations; however, researchers from the Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, have identified two gene regions that might potentially play a pivotal role in the development of the disease.
The use of human pedigrees has enabled researchers to trace back disease-affected individuals through several generations of families, allowing the identification of many different genetic mutations that are attributed to a range of disorders; however, the method is often limited to simple diseases triggered by a single genetic mutation. The research team, led by Prof Nicola Camp, Huntsman Cancer Institute, aimed to develop a novel method of using human pedigrees to study complex diseases and identify a potential cause behind the development of multiple myeloma.
The researchers studied 11 human pedigrees, whose family trees were large, multi-generational, and considered to be at a high risk of developing cancerous disease because they had a higher number of multiple myeloma cases than would be expected to develop by chance. This new shared genomic segment methodology of analysing human pedigrees highlighted a 1.8 Mb section of DNA located on chromosome 6 with deleterious variants of
USP45, a gene involved in DNA repair. The analysis also identified a 1.2 Mb sequence located on chromosome 1 encoding variants of ARID1A, a gene with critical involvement in the regulation of chromatin and the packaging of DNA. Variations in both genes were identified as key contributors to the development and progression of multiple myeloma.
The identification of two key genetic contributors to the increased risk of multiple myeloma offers new targets for screening and treatment and may enable earlier diagnoses of the condition. The success of shared genomic segment identification of mutations in multiple myeloma provides hope for the exploration of the genetic root behind a number of complex disorders, including diabetes and obesity. Prof Camp commented: “We are already pursuing large pedigrees in several other domains, including other cancers, psychiatric disorders, birth defects, and pre-term birth phenotypes, with several more genome-wide significant regions found.”


What is a civil case?
Civil cases are initiated when a wronged party, the plaintiff, files a complaint with the court of appropriate jurisdiction. The delivery of this complaint against named wrong doers, known as defendants, is the action known as filing a lawsuit or bringing suit. While civil cases may involve criminal actions, these trials are completely separate from the proceedings of a criminal trial. Additionally, civil cases include disputes, disagreements, and grievances a plaintiff feels cannot be resolved sufficiently with defendants without court intervention.
Need assistance resolving a dispute?
When business disputes cannot be resolved at the negotiating table, our experienced litigation attorneys are equipped to pursue our client’s goals through the litigation process. Whether in state or federal trial and appellate courts, mediation and arbitration, or regulatory proceedings, our goal is to manage each case as efficiently as possible, while advocating our client’s position.
We have represented clients with civil cases involving: Commercial and Business Litigation Contract Disputes Land Disputes Property and Zoning Disputes Personal Injury Tort Claims Product Liability Wrongful Death Medical Malpractice Intellectual Property Disputes Libel, Slander, and Defamation of character Estate Planning Disputes What are the possible outcomes of a civil case?
In all civil cases, plaintiffs will be seeking remedy from a defendant or defendants. Remedy will often come in the form of a court mandated judgment that attempts to rectify, through judicial ruling, the outcome of a dispute. Additionally, remedy can be achieved in civil cases through settlement, which may be provoked in light of the costs and potential losses stemming from an impending civil trial. Remedies sought by plaintiffs in a civil case may take a number of forms including:
Settlement Damages Injunction Declaratory Judgment Experienced Civil Litigation
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The Data-Driven School: Collaborating to Improve Student Outcomes
$35.00
This indispensable practitioner’s guide helps to build the capacity of school psychologists, administrators, and teachers to use data in collaborative decision making. It presents an applied, step-by-step approach for creating and running effective data teams within a problem-solving framework.
The authors describe innovative ways to improve academic and behavioral outcomes at the individual, class, grade, school, and district levels. Applications of readily available technology tools are highlighted.
In a large-size format with lay-flat binding for easy photocopying, the book includes learning activities and helpful reproducible forms. Purchasers get access to a companion website where they can download printable copies of the reproducible materials, plus interactive computer-based tool


Concordant Sign- The patient's specific pain, symptom or complaint. One common error made during evaluation with special tests is attention given to any discomfort or pain, rather than attempting to identify the pain/discomfort related to the patient's complaint (concordant/comparable sign). Many special tests purposefully test tissue limits and are at least mildly uncomfortable in every individual. Basing your assessment on positive tests that resulted in "concordant/comparable signs" will improve your chances of arriving at the correct diagnosis.


Work We're Doing Coordinated Human Services Mobility Plan Overview
DRPT’s goal in developing the Coordinated Human Service Mobility Plan is to enhance access to and the efficiency of transportation for people with disabilities, older adults, low-income individuals, and veterans.
The culmination of a more than one-year effort, the 2019 Coordinated Human Services Mobility (CHSM) Plan identifies gaps and challenges related to transportation for seniors, individuals with disabilities, low-income individuals, and veterans. The plan was developed with significant public input received through meetings, ride-alongs, surveys, and interviews over a period of several months. The plan presents statewide and regional gaps and strategies to improve human services transportation in Virginia.
Process The PlanThis plan was developed through an extensive outreach process that included seniors, individuals with disabilities, transportation providers, mobility managers, and other groups interested in transportation. The team held regional workshops, ride-along interviews, stakeholder interviews, regional coordination calls, community meetings at elder-care facilities, special topic interviews, a statewide steering committee meeting, and a pop-up event, and conducted a variety of surveys. The ProgramsPrograms funded under the FTA Section 5310 program must align with strategies defined in the CHSM Plan. When applying for Section 5310 funding through DRPT, applicants will demonstrate how their project aligns with the CHSM strategies and actions. This document can also be used to guide other transportation projects across the Commonwealth, and should represent statewide needs, challenges, and goals for the next three years. Key Updates
DRPT is currently in the process of completing an update to the 2019 CHSM plan, which is updated every three years. This plan is a living document that is updated on an ongoing basis to account for changes in technology, new transportation challenges, and transportation successes.
DRPT is working with a team of master's-eligible students from the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University on a project in support of this update. The team conducted a literature review of best practices in CHSM planning and needs around human services transportation, and evaluated the 2019 CHSM plan to make recommendations for updates. The team also developed and conducted a provider survey, analyzed the results of the survey, and utilized that information to make recommendations to DRPT about additional updates. Lastly, the team developed a rider survey that DRPT will conduct and analyze to further update the plan.


Santa Ana Winds of Southern California: Historical Variability and Future Climate Projections Abstract
Santa Ana Winds of Southern California and Northern Baja California (SoCal) are the primary weather drivers of wildfires that frequently and infamously ravage this topographically and demographically complex region. As the available wind observations are scarce, Santa Ana Winds (SAWs) have not been adequately studied on climate timescales. Yet, wildfire behavior has been changing wildly even during my dissertation work. For example, the largest wildfire in California’s recorded history occurred in December of 2017, well outside the unique fall season for the largest wildfires typical of this region. This dissertation presents results of my efforts to understand Santa Ana wind behavior on climate timescales and in our changing climate. In Chapter 1, I developed and analyzed the longest and most complete record of hourly SAWs heretofore available. These results provide a robust perspective on both high- and low-frequency SAW behavior, uncovering previously unknown climate influences on SAW activity, and laying the groundwork for eventual studies into seasonal SAW predictability. Notably, the 65-year record of hourly SAWs did not manifest clear long-term trends. In Chapter 2, using a dynamically downscaled training data set, I developed an approach to statistically downscale coarsely resolved winds from a global Reanalysis with spatial resolution typical of global climate models (GCMs). The result was an efficient and skillful downscaling of coarse daily surface wind vectors onto a fine grid over the SoCal domain spanning 70 years. From these daily wind fields, I derived SAWs and validated them against my previously validated SAWs derived in Chapter 1 from our dynamical training data set. A capacity to statistically downscale daily winds from reanalyses and global climate models was thus developed and applied, in Chapter 3, to a set of eight GCMs yielding an ensemble of daily 10X10 km wind data sets covering SoCal and spanning a historical and future projected time period from 1950 to 2100. Analyses of these data yielded physically meaningful, robust and clear projections of SAW activity gradually decreasing and constricting around its traditional seasonal peak centered on December. These results provide robustness, nuance and meteorological context to expectations of future SoCal wildfire activity.


Over the past several years, many individuals experiencing economic challenges have relied on the financial and housing help of parents, children, and other family members. According to the Pew Research Center that analyzes U.S. Census Bureau data, 51.4 million Americans lived in multi-generational households in 2009, up from 46.5 million in 2007. But what about individuals or families who provide housing and support to non-relatives? Forbes reports that in some cases, non-relatives may qualify as dependents also, thereby reaping a tax break for the head of household (”When A Housemate Is a Dependent (And A Tax Break)”). Continue reading →


It is increasingly clear that microbial communities have important functions in immunologic development, infection prevention, and intestinal barrier maintenance. These roles lend credence to the notion that probiotic (ie, live organisms that putatively benefit their host) administration can alter the human gut microbiome. Given that numerous meta-analyses and review articles and marketing are supportive of probiotics, it is easy to understand why medical professionals adopt “can’t hurt, might help” attitudes toward these substances. However, the paucity of high-quality data supporting the value of probiotics, concerns about potentially biased reviews of their efficacy, the complex framework in which probiotics are regulated and sold, and the limited but increasingly concerning safety information suggest that this approach may not be appropriate.
Freedman SB, Schnadower D, Tarr PI. The Probiotic Conundrum: Regulatory Confusion, Conflicting Studies, and Safety Concerns. JAMA. 2020;323(9):823–824. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.22268
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Who are you? Exercise and physical activity have always been a major part of my life. I grew up in Utah, trying to keep pace with 4 older siblings while staying ahead of the younger one. There was never a shortage of sports balls, or competitive angst, around the house. Primarily driven by enhancing (my own) performance, I got my BSc from Utah Valley University in Exercise Science. I traveled north to the University of Montana for my MSc in Health and Human Performance. And then further north to SFU for my PhD. I am married with 3 kids that keep me on my toes and continue to fuel my need for competition by choosing to run asinine distances in the mountains. What do you do? My PhD work explores the consequences of spinal cord injury (SCI) on cardiovascular autonomic control. I am working to build a cardiovascular disease risk profile following SCI, seeking to understand the earlier onset and faster progression seen in this population. I am testing the safety and efficacy of novel devices and therapies aimed at increasing physical activity and enhancing cardiovascular benefits leading to improved quality of life. Any advice you would give to starting graduates? Work hard, Play hard, Rest hardest. It is between the bouts of stress that we adapt, change, and grow. Make time to rest from both positive and negative stress. What is always on your music playlist? Hamilton and Les Miserables soundtracks. Sprinkle in some Dashboard Confessional, Eagles, Garth Brooks and a dash of Disney and let me loose in the mountains!
This post was originally posted on the SFU BPK Instagram on December 7, 2021.


Mechanical seals’ performance, dependability, and longevity depend on their safety. Equipment condition is crucial. Mechanical seals reduce fluid leakage during operations without limiting rotating components’ motion.
How Do You Keep Mechanical Seals Good With Equipment?
Never over bend the spinning shaft.
Maximum variance is.001 inches, according to experts.
The lapping surfaces separate if the shaft exceeds this limit. It’s sealing-related.
Check for axial bearing movement.
When its bearing supports the spinning shaft, axial movement should not exceed 0.005 inches.
If the shaft travels more, it pulls the seal faces together. Over compression causes seal face wear.
In reversal, the shaft may uncompressed the sealed sides. It damages mechanical seal polishing.
The mounting surface must be perpendicular to the shaft
It maintains your mechanical seal in good shape. Run-out between the shaft and mounting surface shouldn’t exceed 0.005 inches.
Seals wear excessively when the shaft isn’t perpendicular. Broken springs, driving pins, and pads. The mechanical seal fails.
High-speed mechanical seals demand shaft movement. Seal longevity requires little shaft movement.
For optimal seal life, restrict the shaft to 0.002 inches at 1800 RPM. Over that speed, the seal faces will be damaged. Seals will die.
If you’re unsure, call a sealing professional. He has a checklist to troubleshoot.
Conclusion


On Tuesday, October 4, Metrolinx announced a new name for Oshawa GO Station, the eastern terminus of its busy Lakeshore Corridor. In a ten-year agreement with Durham College, a publicly funded post-secondary institution, the station will now be known as “Durham College Oshawa GO.” This was announced on Metrolinx’s Twitter account, Durham College’s social media, […]
GO Transit is broken. So far, I have seen no initiative from Metrolinx or any level of government to fix it. That should outrage all of us.
Restoring Merritton Station in St. Catharines can only benefit Niagara-bound travelers
The hidden stairways to Toronto’s railway heritage.
The new Union Station Bus Terminal doesn’t work with Toronto’s weekend traffic. On Saturday, July 2, it took nearly an hour to get off the Gardiner and into the terminal.
With university and college campuses reopening for in-class instruction, white-collar workers slowly returning to the office, and pandemic restrictions receding, there are more intercity transport options in Ontario than at any time prior to March 2020.
However, the same old gaps continue to linger.
A nearly-completed GO Transit parking lot in Downtown Brampton may never open, as Rogers eyes the site.
A round trip from Toronto via Guelph, Owen Sound, and Barrie is the longest trip one can take using only local and regional transit services. Despite these new links, there is room for improvement.
Despite Bloomington’s modern design and environmental features, it does not support contemporary demands for sustainable development or transportation.
While Metrolinx continues to build expensive new parking spaces, those who walk, bike, or take the bus to its stations can be made to feel like an afterthought. Especially when a connecting bus trip leaves without you, with the next bus not scheduled for two hours.


Abstract
Abstract: The antifouling (AF) properties of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorod coated glass substrata were investigated in an out-door mesocosm experiment under natural sunlight (14:10 light: dark photoperiod) over a period of five days. The total bacterial density (a six-fold reduction) and viability (a three-fold reduction) was significantly reduced by nanocoatings in the presence of sunlight. In the absence of sunlight, coated and control substrata were colonized equally by bacteria. MiSeq Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA genes revealed distinct bacterial communities on the nanocoated and control substrata in the presence and absence of light. Diatom communities also varied on nanocoated substrata in the presence and the absence of light. The observed AF activity of the ZnO nanocoatings is attributed to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through photocatalysis in the presence of sunlight. These nanocoatings are a significant step towards the production of an environmentally friendly AF coating that utilizes a sustainable supply of sunlight.
Keywords MiSeq sequencing Zinc oxide biofilms mesocosm nanorod coating photocatalysis ASJC Scopus subject areas Aquatic Science Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Water Science and Technology


May 4, 2022
Have you ever noticedthat right after you secure the dream job, find a greatrelationship, or finally feel as though you're at a place in yourlife where you're genuinely happy and have everything you need,that's exactly when you feel overcome with stress, worry, doubt,and fear?
It's not acoincidence.
This is a mechanism ofself-sabotage, and it's the brain's subconscious way of ensuringthat we stay within our "safe zone." Today we discuss this issue,and how to best prepare for it when it rears its head!
We cover:
How to acknowledge andovercome success limitations you put on yourself
Do you have an upperlimit problem? Here are the signs.
5 Steps to prepare forthe ups and downs of your growth
RESOURCES
OURPARTNERS Try EveryPlatefor just $1.79 per meal by going to EveryPlate.com and entering codeinfluencer179


02.08.2010
23.31 The ALRC has decided not to recommend the creation of a statutory licensing scheme under the
Patents Act, due to the lack of a demonstrated need for such a scheme at this time, and in the light of other recommendations made in this Report to facilitate access to patented genetic inventions.
23.32 For example, the ALRC recommends a statutory exemption from patent infringement for acts done to study or experiment on the subject matter of a patented invention (Chapter 13). The ALRC also recommends that AusBiotech Ltd should consider whether additional industry initiatives are necessary or desirable to facilitate the licensing of patent rights over genetic materials and technologies (Chapter 22) and makes recommendations to clarify the Crown use and compulsory licensing provisions of the
Patents Act (Chapters 26 and 27).
23.33 However, if evidence arises in the future of a need for such a scheme, the ALRC considers that a voluntary register of patented inventions would provide a useful model. This could be based on the United Kingdom’s ‘licence of right’ for patented inventions, or the
Copyright Act’s Part VI regime for licensing schemes. If a model based on compulsory participation were considered in the future, the ALRC notes that care would need to be taken to ensure its compliance with Australia’s obligations under the TRIPS Agreement, and any other relevant international instruments to which Australia is a party.


Forskere på Fafo: Camilla Houeland
Though millions of Nigerians were protesting in the streets against the repeal of subsidies in January 2012, the government did not call for negotiations until the oil unions threatened to shut down oil production. However, production was never shut down, and the oil unions were criticised for “empty threats” and for abandoning their historical democratic role. To better understand the opportunities and constraints of Nigerian oil workers, this study explores how casualisation processes and conflict interlink and affect the local labour regime and the oil unions' powers in the Niger Delta. The labour fragmentations and erosions of labour power from casualisation have been exacerbated when unfolding into this context of conflictual and fragmented social relations. Despite the oil unions' strategic position in the oil industry and their relatively high union density, these processes have challenged both their structural and associational powers.


GCF/B.33/10: Updates on addressing gaps in the current portfolio for measurement Download GCF/B.33/10: Updates on addressing gaps in the current portfolio for measurement
This document presents updates under Phase I of the remediation activities to address the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) gaps in the current portfolio for measurement. The remediation exercise will improve the quality of results measurement in the GCF portfolio and enable GCF to credibly report results from its investments in the initial resource mobilization period. The update is in response to the request of the Board through decision B.28/02 to present to the Board for consideration a detailed action plan and funding envelope for remedial action no later than the thirtieth meeting of the Board (B.30) or through between Board meetings. Due to the changes in the Board schedule and delays in the budget approval and procurement process, these updates are presented in the thirty-third meeting of the Board (B.33). This document presents the outcome of the negotiations with accredited entities (AEs) implementing projects/programmes with M&E gaps rated as moderate, elevated or high risk. It also contains a summary of the remedial actions that the AEs accepted to reduce the identified M&E gaps risks to low or slight risk, and the proposed arrangements for implementing these actions under Phase 2. The activities under Phase 1 served as a platform for joint learning allowing the Secretariat to explain the GCF M&E-related requirements including linking with the integrated results management framework, and the AEs to share the practical challenges of using the logical framework as designed. Such interactions, focused on co-learning to improve current results measurement practice, paved the way for a fruitful engagement on the action plan and budget, and consequently, for the Secretariat to achieve reduced risk levels for the measurement gaps in its portfolio.
GCF/B.33/10 Action item B.33 29 June 2022


Our experience in working with several organizations from different industries has shown that
activity-led, nature-bound team outings bring a lot of benefits to employees and teams, covering all the bases - employee engagement, collaboration and employee wellness. The last of these cannot be stressed enough upon. Employees who were once sitting all day behind their desks in the office are now, since the pandemic, doing the same at home. The isolation from lack of real social interactions further compounds the existing issues of sedentary lifestyle and physical and mental health conditions.
We have been receiving a lot of feedback from participants about our bicycle rides that indicate a clear way forward to mitigate these risks. Employees say that being in a pristine setting, close to nature, with fresh country air, away from the hustle of the city, engaging in a physical activity like cycling, gives them not only the opportunity to unwind but also pushes them as a team to do something challenging together. It is beautiful to see how teams ensure that no member is left behind on these rides and how everyone together has a wonderful experience, with a collective spirit of adventure and love for nature. It is testament to our belief that these activities can improve multiple facets of
employee well-being, teamwork and engagement. Participants repeatedly say that they feel reinvigorated to get back to their work setting after these breaks. They leave these events with a sense of achievement, a renewed love for nature, a renewed desire to work on their fitness and often a fresh perspective of other members of their team, combined with a grown mutual respect.


The challenges that businesses in the Retail & Wholesale industry face can be overwhelming along with disruptions that can arise at any moment. The future demands overcoming these complexities and making pro-active decisions by utilizing Process Mining technology
on time delivery
by optimizing cash discounts
of adherence to schedule
Pricing and sales effectiveness have become essential in Retail and Wholesale, helping wholesalers stabilize and increase revenue and profit. Process Mining guarantees complete transparency over your processes, enabling you to make smart decisions pro-actively, therefore, ensuring the most optimal pricing strategies to keep your customers satisfied.
How we help
Processand
enables retail & wholesale leaders to discover improvement potential, adjust pricing pro-actively, and monitor improvements in real-time
GET IN TOUCH
Begin Your Process Mining Implementation
With over 350 process implementations, we know exactly what the crucial parts of a successful Process Mining initiative are
Sruti Devendran
Data Scientist


When an individual either slips, trips or falls on the property of another in New York, and the owner failed to take the appropriate precautions to prevent the accident from happening, the owner may be financially responsible for the victim’s injuries. What follows is a an overview of fairly common conditions and scenarios that often lead to a slip and fall accident when indoors. However, it is meant to serve only as a general overview — and is not exhaustive — so victims of these types of accidents are advised to consult an attorney.
A wet or slippery floor is a common cause of slip and fall accident. A property owner must provide adequate warnings, including signs, that alert others that the floor is in the process of being cleaned and may still be either wet or damp. Similarly, a torn, broken, worn or bulging area of a carpet may cause someone to trip, and the condition must be rectified and appropriate warnings placed at the location of the danger.
Another common scenario involves stairs. Over time, the edges of stairs often become worn and rounded due to use, which can lead people to slip. If the property owner knew of this dangerous condition — or the condition existed for a sufficient amount of time that the property’s owner should have been aware of it — grounds may exist for a premises liability claim should an accident occur in such a manner.
A successfully presented premises liability lawsuit can result in a monetary judgment for a victim of a slip and fall accident. Lost wages, medical costs, pain and suffering and other documented damages may be included. However, this type of claim can be complicated and may involve the testimonies of expert witnesses, as well as appropriate medical evidence. Before a victim moves forward with a claim in a New York civil court, it is generally wise to retain the services of an experienced personal injury attorney first.
Source: FindLaw, “Indoor Slip and Fall Accident Conditions“, Accessed on June 28, 2016


Secure Your Assets; Support Your Mission
Neutralize targeted cyber threats while achieving your goals to innovate, integrate and collaborate
While today’s cyber threats are exhausting and complex, your cybersecurity solutions don’t have to be.
You need products that effortlessly work together to make each solution more powerful and effective so you can stop more threats faster.
You want solutions that help your teams be more productive and collaborative, so you get more value out of the investments you have already made.
You deserve better cybersecurity.
Sophos understands the unique needs of the federal government, supporting your mission with incomparable threat prevention, detection, and response, provided by our elite team of highly trained threat analysts.
Sophos puts you back in control with the industry’s most comprehensive and open integrated security management platform that spans your entire enterprise – all endpoints, networks, and cloud workloads – available as a fully managed service.
Accelerate Threat Response: Stop Advanced Threats in Their Tracks
Detect, respond and resolve faster with AI-driven, human-led 24x7 threat intelligence
It is no secret that federal agencies face ever-increasing, sophisticated cyberattacks. To best protect your agency, you need to shift to agile, always-on security operations backed by automated, human-optimized protections that continually adapt to evolving risks.
Sophos supports your mission, offering the most comprehensive telemetry in the industry with deep threat intelligence across all your endpoints, firewalls, servers, mobile devices, email infrastructure, and cloud environments.
Sophos’ elite team of highly trained 24x7x365 threat analysts and incident response experts take targeted actions on your behalf to neutralize even the most sophisticated threats.
Centralize Security Operations: within the Beltway and beyond
Integrated security management across your entire ecosystem.
You need a cybersecurity solution that defends your mission where it needs to go. Sophos protects your resources wherever they are: on-premises, remote, or in the cloud. From foreign adversaries to ransomware, from remote workers to insider threats: Federal agencies face greater cyber risk than ever before. That’s why you need innovative, intelligent solutions that improve cybersecurity outcomes.
Sophos keeps you in control, delivering complete visibility into essential IT operations across your enterprise - integrated and synchronized via our open Adaptive Cybersecurity Ecosystem that can be managed by you or by us. Enjoy unbeatable protection and flexible deployments so you can secure your modern, interconnected operations.
Sophos' advanced cybersecurity solutions are engineered to outsmart cyber threats targeting government agencies. With smoothly integrated, synchronized protection that secures endpoints and workloads wherever they reside and cybersecurity experts who partner with you every step of the way
Embrace Cyber Innovation, Not Risk
Modernize IT to enable Zero Trust, SOAR and DevSecOps
Deliver on the principles of ZTNA: trust nothing, verify everything. With Sophos ZTNA, you can confidently connect individual users to the application and data they need, wherever their mission takes them.
Develop at the speed of the cloud and integrate with the tools and technologies you know and love; align security, DevOps, and operations teams with immediate insight to quickly assess and reduce risk. Transform your cybersecurity efforts from being an internal roadblock to becoming an enabler of innovation and agile operations.
Sophos customers report doubling the efficiency of their cyber teams — while slashing incidents by up to 85%.
A True Partnership for Federal Agencies
Sophos secures over 500,000 organizations worldwide, including many federal, state, and local government organizations. Sophos is a key partner for critical businesses that support our citizens — from hospitals, to schools, to public agencies.
As part of our ongoing support of our federal customers where they need us most, Sophos is in active pursuit of FedRAMP authorization, continuing to meet the unique needs of federal agencies.
Sophos is consistently recognized by industry professionals, analysts, and researchers for offering unparalleled protection and an unwavering commitment to our customers. Learn more about our peer reviews and awards, analyst reports, and test results.
Explore the real-world ransomware experiences of 5,600 IT professionals working at the frontline.
Refactr (Sophos Factory) Wins AFWERX 20.1 SBIR with U.S. Air Force’s Platform One
Cybersecurity Opportunities for the Public and Private Sectors


Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. Stress is your body’s reaction to a challenge or demand. Anxiety refers to anticipation of a future concern and is more associated with muscle tension and avoidance behaviour. Fear is an emotional response to an immediate threat and is more associated with a fight or flight reaction – either staying to fight or leaving to escape danger.
Natural supplements can help to support stress relief and improve your mood.


The COVID-19 pandemic transformed learning environments across U.S. institutions. However, its impacts on learning are yet to be fully understood for improved resiliency during future pandemics. This study is part of a larger nationwide research to explain decision-making in STEM students during COVID-19. A mixed-methods approach with purposive sampling was utilized to enroll 63 students from six institutions. Data was collected through surveys, academic transcripts, and interviews. Through interviews, research participants (RPs) narrated salient experiences. Data was analyzed using the NVivo software for coding and constant comparative analysis.
The analysis of 30 coded interview transcripts revealed an emerging theme -
Professor-Student Interactions Impact Learning and Adaptation Decisions. Salient Professor-Student Interactions are coded as: Online Instructional Delivery Methods; Professor Caring Attitudes; Professor Leniency; Professor Availability; Student Workloads; Professor Technology Proficiency; and Professor Teaching Resources. Negative interactions worsened learning challenges coded as: Illusion of Time, Procrastination; Lack of Focus; Challenge of Asking Questions; Poor Understanding; Poor Quality Assignments; Poor Intermediate Grades; Stresses; and Lowered Motivation. While most RPs experienced high stresses, a few experienced low or no stresses. To minimize the negative impacts of challenges, RPs made adaptation decisions coded as: Refined Scheduling; Alternate Learning Resources; Professor Office Hours; Teaching Assistants; Peer Collaboration; Relaxation Strategies; and Pass/Fail Options. Compared to their fall 2019 GPAs, improved STEM performance is partially attributed to professor leniency, pass/fail option, and cheating.
Findings indicate that while professors were adjusting to modified teaching environments, STEM students were developing a sense of self-discipline, self-teaching, and independence. Students relied on various professor and non-professor generated resources to improve learning and performance. Recommendations for improved interactions and adaptation decisions are discussed for potential replication in STEM communities for improved adaptability and resiliency during future pandemics. Future research will focus on quantifying the long-term effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on STEM performance.


As ESG investing moves from niche to norm, it’s estimated that over the next two decades, $20 trillion of asset growth will occur in ESG funds (equal to the size of the S&P 500) and granular data is fundamental to this shift.
Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), a leading global provider of data, technology and market infrastructure, has expanded its ESG reference data platform to include more granular data. ICE’s ESG data service now includes coverage of companies in key indices, including the ICE® US 1000 Index, which measures the performance of some of the largest capitalised companies in the world. The service offers detailed data points, such as GHG emissions, board diversity metrics, and nearly 400 other key indicators sourced from companies and publicly available sources. ICE also stated that its research team continues to update, enhance and expand this service, and plans to launch coverage for additional companies and geographies later this year.
The provision of ESG granular data aligns with a broader movement of enabling actionable comparisons across companies and sectors. Crucially for ICE, it will assist investors in better understanding the ESG risks and opportunities across a broad mix of global corporations. As investor demand for more transparency and disclosure grows, they must have access to accurate and timely data.
While this move is needed, we should also see it as an opportunity to focus on the data itself. Along with the service announcement, ICE shared data showing that only 48% of US large-cap companies have reported their scope 1 emissions, and of the ICE US 1000 index, women make up only 27% of board directors. Despite ICE’s data evidently exposing where progress can be made, the announcement somewhat lacked depth. There was both an absence of support for investors looking to utilise this data, and no obvious engagement strategy for the companies. Making granular data public is a much-needed first step. Investors using this data through their engagement strategies is the next to generate the right impact.
Author: Rosanna Greenwood


Photovoltaic (PV) deployment has accelerated in recent years compared to projections in the early 2010s. This means that PV end of life (EOL) waste streams will also increase at a higher pace than anticipated. To meet and optimise PV EOL management, appropriate regulatory and technological approaches must be implemented in the near term, ensuring that available options are adapted to the conditions of each country or region. This report aims to review the current regulatory and industrial landscape for selected countries belonging to the International Energy Agency’s PV Power Systems technology collaboration programme, to assess status of PV EOL management, allow for comparison and cross-fertilization, and establish a foundation for future tracking of progress.
Although volumes of EOL PV modules are still small, EOL PV is treated and recycled in a proper manner in the countries and regions that have EOL regulations in place. However, the current low volumes, limited available recycling technologies, logistics challenges, and undeveloped markets for recovered materials result in a high-cost, low-revenue scenario for PV module recycling globally. Nevertheless, the implementation of PV EOL regulations in more countries and R&D investment in PV recycling is expected to accelerate further improvements to meet future demand and to achieve high-value, low-cost recycling.
We hope this report contributes to understanding the global status of PV recycling and to accelerating its development as a promising option for the proper EOL management of PV modules in the coming decades.


I am pleased to be endorsed by the British Columbia Firefighters Association to support First Responder Trauma. Mental health injuries as a result of high stress work including responding to individual or ongoing traumatic events can have significant negative impact on the wellbeing of first responders. Therapeutic work can support the positive wellbeing of first responders while fostering positive connections within family and work relationships.


Bridging the gaps to create a financial experience patients want.
Understanding the true voice of the patient as it relates to their financial experience is critical for providers who seek to improve a patient’s financial journey. Our 2019 patient study report shows how patients are still struggling to understand what they owe as the financial journey flows from pre-service to insurance to post-service billing.


Abstract
The impact of pituitary suppression with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) on the luteal phase of in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles was examined in 21 women who underwent identical stimulation regimens with and without leuprolide acetate pretreatment. The areas under the serum progesterone curves, measured over the 1st 10 days of the luteal phase, were significantly greater in the GnRH-a cycles compared with the non-GnRHa cycles, but when calculated per oocyte retrieved were similar in GnRH-a and non-GnRH-a cycles. In contrast, the areas under the luteal phase serum estradiol curves were significantly less in the GnRH-a cycles. These data suggest that GnRH-a treatment is accompanied by potentially beneficial alterations in the systemic steroidal milieu of the luteal phase of IVF cycles.
ASJC Scopus subject areas Reproductive Medicine Obstetrics and Gynecology


Communication between the healthcare providers and patients can be challenging to both the receiver and sender (DuPré and Overton, 2021). Bridging the gap of understanding and communication between the patient and provider can reduce health issues and improve health outcomes. Health communication has been effective in empowering and influence individuals and communities in making healthier choices. This paper will focus on a reflection on the patient-provider experience related to informed consent and collaborative communication in healthcare.
Reflection
An adolescent girl accompanied by her mother came to the clinic to discuss birth control. During the interaction, the mother kept disagreeing with her daughter’s decision that she was sexually active and proceeded to leave the examination room. However, the physician cooled down the mother and persuaded her to remain in the room to understand what would happen during the clinical visit. The physician encouraged open communication between the daughter and her mother. They discussed the birth control options, their benefits, and their risks. This increased engagement and reduced the risk of the outcomes due to increased satisfaction. The provider educated the mother about birth control and why such a teenager was required to speak about the best method.
Informed Consent
Information consent entails the process of communication between the patient and the healthcare provider, which leads to permission for care and agreement of treatment services (Cordasco, 2013). This is where the healthcare provider explains the medical procedure to the patient before agreeing to it. In the past, providers only told the patients the information to know and avoided sharing information they thought would prevent them from following the recommendations. Some of the healthcare providers relied on the power over patients to exploit patient’s rights. Therefore, this kind of communication plays an essential role in informing the patient, allowing them to deny or accept treatment and ask questions regarding the medical procedure. The informed consent process improves the ability to make a decision, explaining the information required to make decisions, understanding the medical information, and voluntary decisions to acquire treatment (Cordasco, 2013). Informed consent has been used to avoid confusion and misunderstanding about what is required about the ongoing medical treatment.
For this case, informed consent entails communicating the benefits and risks of birth control options. Insufficient information regarding the risks and benefits would be unsatisfactory. Informed consent allowed the patient to participate in their medical care by deciding what birth controls would be effective. Additionally, educating the mother regarding birth control among teenagers and its importance was essential in engaging them in the birth control options.
Collaborative communication
Collaboration entails interaction between the health providers and patients through shared information and communication. Collaborative communication has allowed knowledge sharing in health practices. Considerably, rather than informing someone about their status and what they have to do, collaborative medical communication has enabled providers and patients to treat each other as peers and develop solutions that they are comfortable with (Jenerette and Mayer, 2016). People have become more engaged and informed about health than before. Therefore, rather than being told about what is happening, they have demanded to participate in their health care process. Patients with a less collaborative and more authoritative provider are less likely to share information with the providers or even remember the treatment requirements. In collaborative communication, the health care provider takes the role of a friend and counselor of the patient to achieve health outcomes.
Collaborative communication effectively selected the best choice depending on the assessment of the potential outcomes linked to the options. In the collaborative communication, the health care provider was responsible for contributing their medical knowledge on birth controls while the patients offered expertise in their preferences. Together, the patient and provider collaborate to achieve a goal with the daughter and mother being involved in making more consistent decisions with their values and preferences.
Conclusion
In summation, the patient-provider experience has enlightened the need for effective patient-physician communication. Informed consent and collaborative communication facilitate better decision-making in the care process. Health care providers require good communication skills and relationships with patients to support their learning and engagement in their care process. Patient-provider interaction allows mutual and shared understanding and exchange of information that promotes satisfaction, shared respect, and meaningful decisions in care.


Microorganisms possess natural product biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) that may harbor unique bioactivities for use in drug development and agricultural applications. However, many uncharacterized microbial BGCs remain inaccessible. Researchers at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign previously demonstrated a technique using transcription factor decoys to activate large, silent BGCs in bacteria to aid in natural product discovery.
Now, they have developed a direct cloning method that aims to accelerate large-scale discovery of novel natural products. Their findings are reported in the journal
Nature Communications.
Named Cas12a assisted precise targeted cloning using in vivo Cre-lox recombination (CAPTURE), the method allows for direct cloning of large genomic fragments, including those with high-GC content or sequence repeats. Where existing direct cloning methods fail to effectively clone natural product BGCs of this nature, CAPTURE excels.
"Using CAPTURE, microbial natural product BGCs can be directly cloned and heterologously expressed at an unprecedented rate," said study leader and Steven L. Miller Chair professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering Huimin Zhao, also a member of the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology at Illinois. "As a result, CAPTURE allows large-scale cloning of natural product BGCs from various organisms, which can lead to discovery of numerous novel natural products."
Researchers first characterized the efficiency and robustness of CAPTURE by cloning 47 natural product BGCs from both Actinomycetes and Bacilli. After demonstrating nearly 100% efficiency of CAPTURE, 43 uncharacterized natural product BGCs from 14 Streptomyces and three Bacillus species were cloned and heterologously expressed by researchers. The produced compounds were purified and determined as 15 novel natural products, including six unprecedented compounds designated as bipentaromycins. Four of the bipentaromycins exhibited antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, and Bacillus anthracis.
"Addressing the current antimicrobial resistance crisis requires discovery of novel molecules capable of treating drug-resistant infections," said Zhao. "Discovery of bipentaromycins not only demonstrates the possibility of discovering novel antimicrobials, but it also provides an example on how this strategy can be applied for discovery of unique bioactive compounds for use in drug development and agricultural applications."
The researchers plan next to characterize these compounds for other bioactivities such as anticancer, antiparasitic and anticancer properties. Preliminary results are already showing anticancer properties for some of the compounds.
"Due to its exceptional robustness and efficiency, CAPTURE will likely become the method of choice for direct cloning of large DNA molecules such as natural product BGCs from genomic or metagenomic DNA for various basic and applied biological applications," said Zhao.
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Journal
Nature Communications


On October 6th, Mercy Hospital staff, specialists, and guests gathered to celebrate excellence in healthcare at the annual Quality Awards evening. This memorable event was instigated in 2011, and provides an opportunity to recognise and reward staff-led improvement initiatives around the hospital.
This year's judging panel - composed of Mr Mark Smith, Dr Robyn Chrinside, Dr David Perez, Philippa Pringle, and Chris Ford- had the task of deliberating eight quality projects, involving a wide range of departments and aspects of direct and indirect patient care processes. The Supreme Quality award winner for 2022 was announced as 'Scrub vs Rub', a project led by Natalie McLean, Shelley Nickerson, Sandra Millis and Sarah Hydes. This forward-thinking initiative included researching peer-reviewed literature from around the world and assessing the products, techniques, and attitudes of those that “scrub” at Mercy Hospital to ensure our processes live up to the current best practice standards.
Judges were impressed with this project's targeted focus on evidence-based best practice, and in-depth literature reviews. They noted that "the clear aim of this project is compliance with best practice, standardisation, and establishing a standard of care."
Three other projects recieved awards in recognition of their hard work and contributions towards Mercy's shared purpose:
exceptional care that makes a difference. 'Clean Skin for the Win' was led by our Infection Prevention and Control Nurse, Sarah Hydes, and focussed on the development of a care bundle which has decreased cardiothoracic patient infection rates by 30%.
'Greensleeves' was submitted by Claire Casey, Linda Johnston, and Wilson Gallagher, and has changed the way we purchase and dispose of single use compression garments. This has already resulted in an 83% reduction in waste from the related garments, highlighting the sustainabilty aspect of this project.
A collection of our senior nurses - Lianne van Egdom, Theresa McKay, Natalie Cowie and Niki Bujak - collaborated on the project 'Setting the Trend – More Than Just a Piece of Paper'. The process changes involved had a focus on enhacing patient awareness of and involvement in their care during hospitalisation, which judges acknowledged is a great example of patient empowerment at Mercy.
The remaining four entries for this year included 'App-solutely Safe Food', 'Complex Made Easy - Ngāwari', 'Cyber Awareness Training', and 'In Safe Hands'. These projects respecitvely focussed on enhancements surrounding food safety for patients and staff, complex patient preadmission processes, cyber security and awareness at Mercy, and manual handling practices. The judges noted that the 'overall standard of the write up of the projects increases each year'.
Click here to view the fabulous short project videos from this year on our YouTube channel. We would like to thank the team at Firebrand for their help with the production of these videos.
One of the evening's highlights was CEO Richard Whitney's "Never Waste a Good Crisis" presentation, which reflected on Covid-19's impact on the organization and the response of a small internal team which was established to preserve Mercy's capabilities - responding to the 'public need' and to secure our ability for re-commissioning at an unknown future time.
The "Ground Zero" team demonstrated creativity, innovation, insight and risk taking during uncharted times and events when our traditional normalities and structures were missing. This group included Adrian Robinson, Wilson Gallaher, Sarah Hydes, Diana Evans, Sandra Campbell, Rob Larsen, Paula Sharp, Robyn Chirnside, Richard Ward, Edith Paulsen, Jackie Wilde, Alofa Lale, Ange McNulty, Jason Silby, Andrew Taggart and Philippa Pringle, who were formally acknowledged at the awards night.
Mercy Hospital looks forward to seeing which valuable improvement initiatives staff continue to create and develop in 2023.


Why competitive advantage is key to drive your business growth
Competition is critical to the success or failure of an organisation. It is one of the key elements determining the accuracy of a company’s operations and its impact on its overall performance. Therefore, you need to have a competitive advantage strategy in place. A competitive advantage is when you can satisfy a customer’s/market’s needs better than the competition.
These strategies help companies complement their strengths with the tools for coping in the target market and exceeding their competitors’ strengths. Competitive advantage helps deliver affordable, satisfactory, and superior products than your competitors. Thereby improving your market share and profit margins. The competitive advantages are difficult and expensive to replicate. So how can companies or individuals achieve competitive advantage? Let’s find out.
Competitive Advantage Strategies Cost Leadership
You can outperform your rivals by offering attractive pricing to customers. This strategy aims to produce low-quality products at lower prices than the competitors. Tech giants such as Amazon have risen to the forefront by adopting this strategy. There are several ways to achieve this, including economies of scale and large-scale production. Economies of scale refer to the cost benefits incurred by a company by producing goods on a mass scale.
Differentiation Strategy
The differentiation strategy refers to one where a company maintains the originality of its products or services in the market. Your business offers goods with a unique advantage over your rival. Simply, yours are better quality, or you provide a faster service. This method may include a product’s brand, function, or design. The aim is to lure more customers through quality and features while preventing others from getting a bigger market share.
Focus Strategy
Just like cost leadership, the focus strategy can also offer products at lower prices. The only variation is that a particular niche market sector is targeted in the cost-leadership method. This way, you can concentrate on specific markets with particular needs. Adopting the focus strategy will minimise expenditure regarding staffing and equipment and other expenses like raw materials to remain competitive regarding cost. For instance, community banks use the focus strategy to gain a competitive advantage. Their target audience includes small local companies or high net-worth individuals who like the personalised experience big banks aren’t able to offer. As a result, customers want to pay a little more for that service.
Competitor Analysis
Understanding the competitive landscape is essential for a business or individual to compete in a market. It’s gathering and assessing information about competitors’ strengths, weaknesses, strategies, value propositions and customer perception. It helps you focus on their strengths and mitigate their weaknesses to gain a competitive edge.
Few Takeaways If adopting a competitive advantage, ensure the market knows your goods and services are superior. You must comprehend and evaluate your products and services well. It’s important to ensure that your offering is of real value to customers. Staying in tune with the most recent trends and technology is another critical factor to gain a competitive edge. It will benefit and influence the company’s business and sales of the products. Why competitive advantage is key to drive your business growth
In conclusion, gaining a competitive advantage is all about having better products and services, attracting more customers, making more profits, and returning more value to shareholders than your competitors. It’s more often achieved by leveraging low-price and differentiated products/services strategies. Other aspects help you to gain a competitive advantage, including responding to changes in time and modifying the operating strategy. Organisations having robust manufacturing capabilities, superior technical know-how, and more can utilise them efficiently and transform them into competitive advantages.


As a retired teacher, I fully appreciate the support Bill Plueker has shown for Maine’s public schools. In my twenty seven years in the classroom I was acutely aware of the difference adequate funding can make to the quality of education. When funding cuts were made, programming suffered and students missed out on valuable educational experiences.
When I expressed these concerns to Bill during one of his door to door canvases, I was gratified to learn of his commitment to public education. He has backed full funding for public schools while not burdening taxpayers. He has also supported increases in teaching salaries to draw quality educators. I also found that Bill takes a personal interest in ensuring quality education for future generations. He is the father of school-aged children and a farmer working as a substitute teacher.
I strongly urge residents of Hope, Warren, and Union to vote to reinstate Bill Plueker as their State Representative.
Linda West lives in Warren


Nonprofit Resources Income Ratio for Churches: Annual Contributions per Average Adult Attendee
Total Contributions — Large One-time Gifts
Average Adult Attendees
This calculation, which removes the effect of large one-time (unusual) gifts, takes the total of all gifts — both restricted and unrestricted (also referred to as designated and undesignated gifts). It can be compared from year to year, allowing you to see the trends and determine the impact on your church and its budget. The average of this ratio shows an increase in annual giving of participating churches between years.
Benchmark
We recently revised our benchmark based on our review of current literature and experience with our church clients.
Good: Greater than $2,000 per average adult attendee Above Average: Greater than $2,500 per average adult attendee Strong: Greater than or equal to $3,000 per average adult attendee
While we recognize that these benchmarks may increase or decrease slightly with changes in economic conditions and that they are impacted by the average age and other inherent factors of the congregation, we have found them to be reasonable when compared to the averages calculated in the Index database.
Annual Contributions per Giving Unit
Another valuable income ratio for churches is Annual Contributions per Giving Unit. This measure introduces the concept of a “giving unit,” which is usually a group of family members who contribute jointly to the church. A giving unit is also defined as any recurring supporter of the ministry. This excludes the individual who may make a smaller one-time gift supporting an event, such as a short-term mission trip.
To identify the regular recurring giving units, the measure only includes giving units that contribute more than $250 annually to the church.
So you could use both of these measures in another valuable comparison: Calculating what contributions would be if every adult attendee or giving unit made a certain amount (e.g., $50,000 a year) and tithed on that amount.
Your church could use this measurement to make your congregation aware of what the current giving per adult attendee and giving unit is, what the projected giving would be if everyone participated, and how this compares to peer churches.
This is just one example of the ratios and measures available in the CapinCrouse Church Financial Health Index. We’ll discuss two other ratios in upcoming posts.
Index subscribers receive full access to a range of ratios and measures to assess and track their financial condition, along with benchmark and peer information, a report card of their church’s results, and more. See how the Index could benefit your church at capincrouse.com/church-financial-health.
Sarah Thompson
Sarah joined CapinCrouse in August 1997. She has acquired a broad range of experience through serving a wide range of clients within the nonprofit industry, including colleges, seminaries, churches, Christian schools, church extension funds, foundations, and other nonprofit organizations. She is a member of the Uniform Guidance team.


Gambling involves placing a bet on a random event in hopes of winning something of value. It’s an activity that often discounts instances of strategy. To be considered gambling, three elements must be present: consideration, risk, and prize. A gambler must be aware of these factors before placing a bet.
Problem gambling among adolescents
In a recent meta-analysis, researchers identified several risk factors for problem gambling among adolescents. These factors include impulsivity, antisocial behaviors, and sensation seeking. They also included depression symptoms and an undercontrolled temperament. The research also uncovered an association between gambling problem severity and male gender. In addition, they found a significant association between gambling and academic performance.
Problem gambling among adolescents is more common than most parents may think. In addition to its prevalence, this issue can lead to other serious consequences associated with mental health disorders. It’s a serious issue, and parents must not ignore it. For starters, they need to be aware of the difference between harmless gambling and problem gambling.
Researchers have noted that problem gambling can be a dangerous addiction with financial, social, and psychological consequences. This disease often affects families and the entire community. It has also been linked with a variety of risk factors, including the type of school a person attends and the family dynamic.


NCASE Resource Library Reset Selections Topics Resource type Publisher Search Results Filter By
This issue brief by Temescal Associates and the How Kids Learn Foundation is designed to help AfterSchool staff understand and respond to the needs of youth who are grieving or experiencing loss due to the pandemic, the opioid crisis, or rising gun and racial violence. It reviews topics such as prevalence, effects on young people, grief-responsive teaching, and self-care for adults.
This issue brief by the Philadelphia Hospital and Health Care District 1199C Training and Fund explores how apprenticeships can integrate theory and practice while connecting to a college degree. It provides an in-depth look at the PA Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship Program.
Staffing shortages preceded the pandemic, but have been exacerbated by them, leading to a drop in capacity to enroll and serve youth at a time that these supports are most needed.
This issue brief outlines eight strategies with state examples for improving child care compensation: (1) compensation scales and standards; (2) wage stipends and bonus payments, (3) tax credits for child care educators; (4) ARPA stabilization subgrants; (5) child care assistance; (6) benefits; (7) appr
This issue brief, published by Temescal Associates and How Kids Learn Foundation, outlines how out-of-school time (OST) programs can provide a professional pathway into relieving the national teacher shortage, which has worsened during the pandemic.
This issue brief provides a policy agenda with concrete ways to advance racial equity in early care and learning systems. It has a guiding framework and includes 14 priorities for states and tribes to consider to invest in equity access, experiences, and outcomes.
This issue brief, published by Temescal Associates and How Kids Learn Foundation, explores youth civic engagement and activism through its history, the benefits, and why youth participate. It includes a discussion of challenges, barriers, and recommendations along with examples. There are also interviews with youth and researchers, and a robust list of resources.
This report explores ways to cover the true cost of high quality child care in order to meet the needs of children, families, and the broader economy. By creating a new and equitable financial model for child care, it will ensure that care is affordable for families, that the workforce is compensated at a living wage, and that programs have resources to meet high quality standards.
This issue brief summarizes the research that shows that high-dosage tutoring is one of the most effective strategies in producing large learning gains for a wide range of students. It includes at-a-glance design principles including frequency of tutoring, group size, personnel, curriculum, measurement, and scheduling.
This issue brief identifies policy opportunities to strengthen school-age child care, based on findings drawn from a literature review, case studies of five afterschool programs, and inputs from experts in the field.